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“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada alleged during an Aug. 15 press conference
As California authorities continue their investigation into the death of former Friends star Matthew Perry, more information is coming to light about the roles those close to him played in his demise.
The nature and extent of their alleged roles were revealed by authorities at a press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 15, where California officials announced charges against five people in connection with Perry’s October 2023 death.
Several charges were announced against Jasveen Sangha, who U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada alleged is known as “The Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plascencia, a licensed physician.
Kenneth Iwamasa (who was Perry’s personal assistant), Erik Fleming and Dr. Mark Chavez were also charged separately, the Department of Justice announced.
Authorities claim that the five individuals knowingly supplied and administered ketamine to Perry and took advantage of his addiction and tried to “cover up” their role following his death. Estrada said Perry had fallen back into his addiction in Fall 2023, shortly before his death.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves,” Estrada alleged.
The defendants also allegedly texted about distributing drugs to Perry, Estrada claimed.
According to the DoJ, Plasencia allegedly contacted Chavez – who was also a doctor and previously operated a ketamine clinic – to obtain the substance to sell to Perry. In text messages to Chavez, Plasencia allegedly discussed how much to charge Perry for the ketamine, stating, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets [sic] find out,” the DoJ claimed.
Perry’s live-in assistant Iwamasa admitted to “repeatedly” injecting Perry with ketamine, including on the day he died, “without medical training,” the DoJ stated.
Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Chavez will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, the DoJ announced, while Fleming pleaded to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Sangha is facing a slew of charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine, per the DoJ. Plasencia is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. They will both be arraigned later on Aug. 15.
Los Angeles Police Department Matthew Shields accused the defendants of “knowingly and willingly” giving Perry ketamine despite being aware of his struggles with substance abuse.
At the time of his death, Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, according to an autopsy released in December.
His cause of death was revealed to be acute effects of ketamine and the nature of his death was determined to be “accidental,” according to the autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE.
Despite the initial investigation being closed, authorities began looking into the circumstances surrounding his death in May, LAPD told PEOPLE at the time.
